Mark Hamill Was "Surprised" by Luke in 'The Last Jedi'

Luke Skywalker has been through a lot since he helped the Rebellion take back the Star Wars galaxy. And, naturally, in the 30 years between Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Luke’s going to change as a person. On Sunday, Luke actor Mark Hamill clarified a previous comment of his that some fans took as a dig at Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson’s expense, saying that Luke has changed, but it’s for the best.

Speaking to Variety on the Tony Awards red carpet, Hamill said, “I got into trouble because I was quoted as saying to Rian that ‘I fundamentally disagree with everything you decided about Luke,’ and it was inartfully phrased. What I was, was surprised at how he saw Luke. And it took me a while to get around to his way of thinking, but once I was there it was a thrilling experience. I hope it will be for the audience, too.”

Hamill, publicly known as an expansive, rambling speaker and an all-around nice guy, was taken out of context by quite a few fans and news outlets alike. They assumed that he meant Johnson had gotten Luke wrong and that Hamill didn’t like the direction the character had taken. That wasn’t really his point.

If anything, Hamill’s assurance that he was “surprised” by Luke’s character in The Last Jedi hints at a complicated character arc for the fan-favorite Jedi. And seeing as The Last Jedi is meant to be Luke’s turn at the helm of a new trilogy film (as The Force Awakens was Han’s and Episode IX was meant to be Leia’s), the complications of his character and the twist from Hamill’s expectations should only excite fans further.